Automatic oiler or do it manually?

[sleepygit]

Hi all

In the process of building a new workshop at the moment for the farm. Decided it is time to get a decent compressed air system installed.

Going to be using 32mm alkathene pipe on a ring main with smaller drops to various places.

I will have a couple of filter/regulators dotted around near the outlets, but I'm wondering about oilling the air.

Don't want to have an oiler near the compressor as that will put oil in all the pipes. I could have an oiled and oilless feed at each outlet, but I'm wondering whether it is worth it.


Main use will be impact wrench, blowing stuff off, pumping up tyres (lots) and operating occasional air drill / sander etc.

I'm thinking it may be easier to just keep a can of oil near each outlet and oil manually? But then will it get done often enough?

Or my original plan was to have a couple of oiled outlets that I would intend to use with the stuff that wants oiled air and then have unoiled for everythign else (but then do I oil the air hose reel, which will undoubtedly get used for everything, and I don't really want it spluttering oil all over the tractor cab when I decide to dust it!)

 

[brightspark]

ive never bothered with an oiler just 3 drops of oil and a quick run when u finished using tools . it stops the bearings and rotor going rusty oilers are all right in industry that get used and abused 24 hours a day . most of my tools are second hand and 30 years old and still going strong they get a fair use as well . dont waste your time and money on one

 

[Luke]

If you're planning on using it for tyres a lot, you don't want oil in the lines.

I just put a drop or two down the tool inlet now and again, works fine.

 

[shenion]

I have one port with an filter/trap/reg and oil fogger next to the bench. That is where I use the die grinder most. There is a regular port also.

I have one hose dedicated to use with oil. You need special hoses as many rubber-type will just dissolve (have one that is all slimy.)

When i use tools on other ports, i add some oil manually before use and after.

The oiler is nice, but having good water traps are the most important. I have one one both ports. Water will kill air tools.

 

[knoba]

Alternatively, you could use an "in-line oiler" on the tools that require them. Screwfix used to do them.

One can either screw them into the bottom of the tool or have it as a snap-in coupling. I bought one to try it, but went back to using a few drops in the tools' inlet each time I used them. I didn't like the overhang (approx 3" - 4") when the oiler was fitted to the tool and I don't like using tails on my air tools.

 

[shenion]

Forget the inline oilers.

1. The fill hole is smaller than the air fitting. Much easier to just add some drops to the tool. Filling these is a royal pain.
2. They dump all the oil out in about a minute of use. There is no control over the amount of oil.
3. They are cheap Chinese junk and break.

 

[knoba]

I totally agree, but if I'd have liked the oiler in the first place, those bad points could have easily been sorted! I have a fair investment in air tools and I would hate to see them go that way.

Better to give sleepygit as many options as possible and let him decide. Horses for courses an' all that...

 

[mike os]

dont oil the line.... oil at the point of use, unless you never want "clean" air... for a mask or spraying

Personally I just oil the tool as above